Manchester United remain hopeful of retaining the services of Marouane Fellaini despite the player’s apparent desire to leave the club.

Press Association Sport understands Fellaini is now all-but set to end his five-year stint at Old Trafford and join a rival club when his contract expires at the end of the month.

But it is believed United are still keen to get the Belgium midfielder tied down to a new deal, with an offer remaining on the table to keep him.

Fellaini started just two Premier League games since the turn of the year and has been linked with a move away for some time.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has expressed his desire to retain the services of the former Everton man, who moved from Goodison Park in 2013.

Speaking after Fellaini came off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Arsenal in April, Mourinho said: “The position is that we are almost there but in football almost is not enough.

“I want to see the white paper with the United crest and Ed Woodward’s signature and Marouane’s signature.”

An unnamed top-six Premier League side is understood to have shown firm interest in signing the 30-year-old on a free transfer, with Fellaini now seemingly swayed by the offer of more regular football.